Fake copies of Windows 7 on Ebay.

Cool_Mint

Watch out for counterfeit copies of Windows 7 Ultimate on Ebay! Almost all of them are fake. Also be on the alert for "MSDN" key copies of Windows that are bought as multiple-license bundles and resold as individual copies; they validate just fine but then they stop working when the seller cancels his MSDN subscription!

The real kick in the teeth is that these copies often work for a couple of months, long enough that your right to file a dispute with Ebay/Paypal will have expired. :mad:

There are genuine copies, I almost snagged a full genuine copy of Windows 7 Ultimate for £80 that someone had bought in error from PC World, but at least 90% of Windows 7 disks on Ebay are duff.

exup

most windows os discs on ebay are fake anyway - but if you need a windows 7 o/s disc try buying an oem (system builders) version - I've never had an issue with them

hubert_cumberdale

just buy a genuine copy
what did you expect off ebay I thought it was common knowledge that they were copies.

Cool_Mint

I use Windows 7 Premium OEM on my own computer but a full retail copy has the advantage of a transferable license and £80 for a genuine copy of Windows 7 Ultimate compared to £175?

That's a hell of a saving so Ebay can be worth a look, it's just that there are so many fakes and obviously it can't be that common knowledge because the bogus copies are still being bought and sold every day. Some of those fake copies do look very realistic.

DCFC79

Cool_Mint wrote: »

I use Windows 7 Premium OEM on my own computer but a full retail copy has the advantage of a transferable license and £80 for a genuine copy of Windows 7 Ultimate compared to £175?

That's a hell of a saving so Ebay can be worth a look, it's just that there are so many fakes and obviously it can't be that common knowledge because the bogus copies are still being bought and sold every day. Some of those fake copies do look very realistic.

if you feel that strongly then why not report them to ebay

Cool_Mint

DCFC79 wrote: »

if you feel that strongly then why not report them to ebay

I do sometimes but it's a futile gesture, Ebay is well aware of the problem already.

dealer_wins

If "90% of discs on Ebay are fake" why on earth dont the police/FACT etc just set up a sting operation and buy a fake, then prosecute the sellers?

Its one thing downloading a fake copy, another to profit from piracy surely?

iceblue24

saw a version of win 7 ultimate on ebay for £60. alarm bells were ringing. windows 8 is coming out very soon so not much point getting windows 7 anymore

Searcher

iceblue24 wrote: »

saw a version of win 7 ultimate on ebay for £60. alarm bells were ringing. windows 8 is coming out very soon so not much point getting windows 7 anymore

Very soon?

http://windows8news.com/2010/10/24/microsoft-nl-accidentally-leaking-windows-8-release-date/

giraffe69

windows 8 is coming out very soon

Two years is not very soon! Add to that slippage with release dates and some time before it gets to new machines and it is not yet worth including in considerations. Windows 7 is going to be the Windows of choice for some time to come. I think Microsoft charge too much for it and the version differientiation is absurd but those who buy on Ebay looking for a "bargain" can't complain that much when they get the dodgy goods in my view.

GillsMan7

giraffe69 wrote: »

Two years is not very soon! Add to that slippage with release dates and some time before it gets to new machines and it is not yet worth including in considerations. Windows 7 is going to be the Windows of choice for some time to come. I think Microsoft charge too much for it and the version differientiation is absurd but those who buy on Ebay looking for a "bargain" can't complain that much when they get the dodgy goods in my view.

I used to have that view but, to be fair, it's probably one of the best value bits of software you can buy. You use it every single day, it works perfectly 99.99999% of the time, your computer is useless without it, the alternatives are simply not the same (nothing wrong with Mac OS or Linux, but they serve very different needs/hardware), I actually think it's a bit of a bargain all told.